Sayifwanda Grills Home Affairs PS on Reform Party

The Registrar of Societies must use its discretion and de-register the controversial Reform Party (RP) because it is ‘dead’, says Home Affairs permanent secretary Maxwell Nkole.

According to the State-owned and PF controlled Zambia Daily Mail, Nkole said this yesterday when he appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs.

He said the RP is only active on paper but its operations on the ground are non-existent.

“RP on the shelf is an active party but it is dead out there. It has not been active since 2007,” he said.

Nkole was responding to a question raised by Zambezi East member of Parliament Sarah Sayifwanda who wanted to know why the Office of Registrar of Societies is seemingly applying double standards to political parties.

Sayifwanda said there is need for the civil service to guide the PF government correctly so that it delivers development.

Nkole said the argument about RP is merely an academic exercise.

“The issue about RP is an administrative one and not a political matter as is being portrayed,” he said.

Nkole said civil servants must speak the same language with policy-makers, adding that the Office of the Registrar of Societies must advise the Ministry of Home Affairs correctly.

He said the civil service is not proactive in keeping the government informed on certain matters.

Nkole said the current administration wants to change that attitude towards work.

“We haven’t given sufficient guidance to Government as civil servants,” he said.

Sayifwanda commended Nkole for being candid on the matter which has attracted public debate.

The PF are using the issue of Reform Party, which was headed by MMD president Dr Nevers Mumba, to create confusion in the former ruling party. The ruling party has sponsored former MMD national secretary Major Richard Kachingwe to capitalise on a Registrar of Societies lapse to claim Dr Mumba is still leader of the Reform Party.